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Laugh out loud: study shows laughter improves relationships |
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
Laughter may not always be the best medicine, but one Appalachian State University professor found reminiscing about laughter can produce more than a chuckle.
It can actually improve your relationship satisfaction.
Psychology professor Dr. Doris G. Bazzini’s study on laughter is
included in the January 2007 issue of the journal “Motivation and
Emotion.”
“When you reminisce about laughter, it makes you laugh again,” Bazzini said.
She also said when couples reminisce about laughter together, it makes them feel closer and creates a stronger bond.
“It might create a greater sense of ‘we understand each other,’” she said.
Bazzini said this study was in the works for about 12 years, starting
with a thesis topic formed by Bazzini and former clinical psychology
master’s candidate Elizabeth K. Stack.
Stack said Bazzini, who was her thesis chair, gave her the idea of looking at humor’s effect on relationships.
The idea for the study came from Bazzini’s own experiences. She said
she has always enjoyed being around her family because they share a lot
of laughter.
She said her husband probably fits in well with her family because of a similar sense of humor.
However, at the time of the thesis, there was not a lot of research on the topic.
“We had to make a leap,” Stack said.
She said most of the research was on the effect of positive thought on
health, such as the work of Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams, who promotes
alternative health care.
Dr. Dan L. Jones, director of the Counseling and Psychological Services
Center, said there is a lot of evidence to suggest laughter is helpful
in health, as well as mental health.
He said therapists commonly ask patients who are depressed or suffering from stress what they do for fun.
In some cases, laughter can move a person from negative to positive thinking.
“Sometimes the best advice is lighten up a bit,” Jones said.
In the original thesis, individuals recalled laughter with their partner and measured their relationship satisfaction.
However, Bazzini and former students, Stack, graduate student Penny D.
Martincin and undergraduate student Carmen P. Davis, found couples
needed to laugh together in order to form a stronger response.
“It’s hard to laugh alone,” Bazzini said.
Other conditions including reminiscing about positive occurrences did not produce the same response.
Bazzini said some psychologists believe laughter not only improves your
mood, but also releases endorphins, much in the same way as exercising.
However, Bazzini said when couples reminisce about shared laughter, they realize they see the world in the same way.
“It’s the little day-to-day events that can add up to make a difference in a relationship,” Bazzini said.
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